Drive chain

ABSTRACT

The sprocket drive chain of this invention is particularly adapted for right angle drive but may also be used for straight or various other angular drive situations. The construction lends itself to ease of manufacture and especially for the automated manufacture of chain. In the preferred embodiment the chain comprises interlocked links rotatably coupled, such as by a pin and bushing combination, with stamped side plates to provide an intermediate tooth (sprocket) opening. The successive openings are adapted to receive a tooth at opposite 90° angles thus readily being adapted to a right angle drive. Other embodiments employ a common pivot to support the side plates in successive 90° opposite directions, and a single plate version useable with a slotted tooth sprocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a drive chain and pertains,more particularly, to an improved right angle sprocket drive chain, andone in particular which lends itself to ease of automated manufacture.

There are a number of prior art patents that describe different types ofdrive and conveyor chains. For example, reference may be made to U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,365,866; 2,010,124; 3,019,665; 3,394,608; and 3,368,418.Although some of these patents pertain to sprocket drives adapted fordriving in more than one plane, the construction of the chain isrelatively complex and is not readily adapted to ease and economy ofmanufacture. Furthermore, these prior chain constructions are notreadily adapted to provide successive openings, one primarily onlyadapted for a first direction of sprocket engagement with an adjacentone adapted for a 90° opposite direction of sprocket engagement. Forexample, the Dalrymple U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,866 shows a chain openingwherein a sprocket opening may receive a tooth for engagement at the oneopening at right angles, such as when a secondary sprocket is used at90° to the main sprocket.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide animproved drive chain construction and one which is particularly adaptedfor right angle driving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved drivechain construction which is particularly adapted for ease of and economyof manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved chainconstruction which is particularly simple in construction and is readilyadapted to automated manufacture of the chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there isprovided a chain that is adapted for right angle drive and that isparticularly designed to be of simple construction and one that isreadily adapted for ease of manufacture. There is disclosed herein,three separate embodiments of the present invention. The chain of thisinvention basically comprises a pair of successive sets of planar linkswith each set having at least one link. In the preferred embodimentthere are a pair of links that are employed. However, in one of theembodiments described herein a single link is used in combination with aslotted sprocket tooth. The chain also comprises a pivot link havingopposite first and second ends, and means for pivotally securing theplanar links to the pivot link, comprising a first pivot memberassociated with the first end of the pivot link for disposing one setlink in a first direction and a second pivot member associated with thesecond end of the pivot link for disposing another set link in a seconddirection substantially transverse to the first direction. In this waythe chain is formed with successive openings with a first openingadapted for receiving a sprocket in one direction and the adjacentopening adapted for receiving a sprocket in an opposite transversedirection. Preferably, at each successive sprocket opening, the sprocketcan be received in only one direction. Similarly, for the single linkarrangement the successive links are disposed in alternating transversedirections so as to readily enable sprocket engagement by successivesprocket teeth in a right angle drive. The successive right angle teethare of course on separate individual sprockets.

In accordance with a first embodiment disclosed herein, the pivot linkincludes a pair of oppositely disposed loop links, each having anarcuate sprocket engaging surface with the engaging surface of one linkdirected transversely to the engaging surface of the next successivelink. Each of these loop links may be of U-shape. In this firstembodiment, each pivot member may comprise a cylindrical bushing andassociated pin which passes through and is adapted to connect the planarlinks to the pivot link. This bushing may be dimpled to cooperate with agroove in the pin.

In a second embodiment disclosed herein, the pivot link compriss a pivotblock having at one end an arcuate sprocket engaging surface permittingsprocket engagement in only one direction, and to the other end anarcuate sprocket engaging surface permitting sprocket engagement in onlythe opposite transverse direction to said one direction. In thisembodiment each pivot member interconnecting the pivot block and linkmay comprise a pivot pin and associated lock ring.

In a final embodiment disclosed herein there is provided a single linkin each set adapted for use with a slotted sprocket tooth. In thisembodiment the pivot link comprises a pivot block having at one end anarcuate sprocket engaging surface cooperating with a similarly disposedsurface of an adjacent pivot block to provide a sprocket engagement inonly one direction. The opposite end of the pivot block has an arcuatesprocket engaging surface that extends at a right angle to the one endsprocket engaging surface.

In the first preferred embodiment described herein the components areparticularly adapted for ease of manufacture. This includes theinterconnected loop links, bushings, pins, and side plates which arepreferably stamped. These components are naturally adapted to fullyautomated assembly. Also, the chain links can be easily assembled anddisassembled and can be made longer or shorter quite easily by simplypressing out the pin through the spring bushing, and reassembling bypressing the pin back in again with either a shortened or lengthenedlink or pair of links.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the invention shouldnow become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the right angle drive of thepresent invention in connection with a preferred embodiment hereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing one of the sprockets and thepreferred embodment of the chain;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 throughone of the sprocket teeth;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 throughanother part of the chain construction;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5 showinga fragment of this cross-section;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the basic componentscomprising a section of the chain;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation view showing an alternative embodimentfor the chain of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through the pivot link of thechain along line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing the components comprising a sectionof the chain in the second embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view showing a single sprocket with a thirdembodiment of the invention adapted for use with a slotted sprockettooth;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11through one of the slotted sprocket teeth;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the general componentscomprising a section of the chain in this third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein a springreplaces the dimple bushing; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention employing a roller to partially define arcuate sprocketengaging surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1-7 there is shown a firstembodiment of the present invention. All of the embodiments describedherein are adapted for right angle drive, although they may readily alsobe used with any type of straight drive. FIGS. 8-10 show a secondembodiment of the present invention while FIGS. 11-13 show a thirdembodiment described herein adapted for use with a slotted sprockettooth.

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention in particularillustrating the adaptability to a right angle drive. In FIG. 1 there isshown a first drive sprocket 10 and a second drive sprocket 12. Thesedrive sprockets each have six teeth and are arranged for driving atopposite 90° angles. Thus, the sprocket 10 has associated therewith adrive shaft 11 and a sprocket 12 as a corresponding drive shaft 13. FIG.1 shows the chain of this invention engaged with each of the sprockets10 and 12. The chain comprises successive pairs of planar links 14 witheach pair interconnected at its ends to a pivot link 16. Each of thepivot links 16 in combination with the planar links 14 define a seriesof successive sprocket openings including, in FIG. 1, vertical openings18A and horizontal openings 18B. There is shown a tooth 10A engaged inthe opening 18B. Also, there is shown a tooth 12A associated with thevertical opening 18A.

FIGS. 2-7 show the details of the chain embodied in FIG. 1. Thus, inFIG. 2 there is shown the sprocket 12 with associated drive shaft 13.There is also shown the opening 18A for sprocket tooth 12A. As indicatedpreviously, the chain comprises pairs of planar links 14 in separatesuccessive sets and interconnected by the pivot link 16. The sprocketopenings 18A are defined by vertically arranged links 14, such as shownin the exploded view of FIG. 7. The alternate openings 18B are definedby horizontally disposed links 14. In this first embodiment the pivotlink 16 comprises a pair of U-shaped links 20,22. The U-shaped link 20has its arcuate surface 24 defining one side of the vertical openingsuch as opening 18A in FIG. 1. Similarly, the other U-shaped link 22 hasan arcuate surface 26 that in part defines one of the horizontalsprocket openings such as opening 18B of FIG. 1.

The means for pivotally securing the planar links 14 to the pivot links16 comprises the combination of a pin 28 and bushing 30 with the pinpositioned within the bushing. The pin and bushing are interlocked bymeans of an annular groove 29 in the pin cooperating with the dimple 31in the slotted bushing 30. FIGS. 4-6 show the interrelationship betweenthe bushing, pin and the pivot link 16. For example, in the U-shapedlink 22 there are provided end wings 22A and 22B each having a holetherethrough for receiving the pin 28. The opposite ends of the links 14are also provided with holes, as depicted in FIG. 7. The holes in theend of the links align along with the holes in the ears 22A and 22B withthe pin 28. The bushing 30 sits between the ears 22A, 22B. Similarly, atthe other end of the links 14, such as shown in FIG. 7, there arecircular holes that align with the holes in the ears of an adjacentU-shaped link such as the link 22. A further pin 28 passes through theplanar links and the U-shaped pivot link. The means of interconnectioncontinues from section to section. The alternate sections are arrangedso that the planar links alternate at 90° angles, as clearly depicted inFIG. 1.

With the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 1-7, and in particular with theillustration of FIG. 1 it can be seen that the drive at right angles isfacilitated quite easily. It is noted that with regard to the horizontalsprocket in FIG. 1, one of the teeth engage a horizontal opening quiteclose in position to the tooth 12A of sprocket 12 engaging a verticalopening. Thus, the sprocket drive can occur with the sprockets disposedquite close to each other. Furthermore, the construction of this presentinvention is quite advantageous in that the sprocket opening is definedby planar side links in combination with the U-shaped links comprising apart of the pivot link so as to provide a sprocket opening that veryclosely matches the contour of the sprocket itself. The drive is thuspositive in engagement.

The construction of FIGS. 1-7 also adapts itself quite readily to easeof and economy of manufacture. The snap together loop links are ofsimple construction. The plates 14 may be stamped from standard sheetmetal. The bushing and pin arrangement is easy to manufacture and quiteeasy to use for both assembly and disassembly of the chain. In thisembodiment there are essentially only four different types of componentsand thus the chain is of relatively simple construction yet providingthe capability of either straight drive or right angle drive.

FIGS. 8-10 show another embodiment of the present invention employingthe general principles described in connection with the firstembodiment. In FIG. 8 there is shown a fragment of a sprocket 12 with atooth 12A for engaging in a vertical opening 18A. This embodiment alsoemploys a pair of planar links 14. As depicted in the perspective viewof FIG. 10, the left hand pair of links is disposed vertically while theright hand pair of links are disposed horizontally. Each of the links ina set are disposed in parallel with its adjacent link. The embodimentdescribed in FIGS. 8-10 differs from the first embodiment primarily inthe use of a single piece pivot block 36 instead of the two piecearrangement of the first embodiment employing two U-shaped links. Thepivot block 36 in the second embodiment includes pivot studs 37A and 37Band a central passage for receiving at right angles the elongated pivotstud 39. These pivot studs are locked with the links 14 by means of thelocking rings 40 such as shown in FIG. 10.

The pivot block 36 has upper and lower flat surfaces, as depicted inFIG. 10, for receiving the right hand horizontally disposed links 14.Similarly, the block has opposite side surfaces for receiving thevertically disposed links 14. At one end of the block there is providedarcuate surface 42 cooperating with the vertical links 14 for providinga vertical sprocket chain opening. Also, at the other end of the pivotblock there is provided an arcuate surface 44 cooperating with thehorizontally dispoed links 14 for providing a horizontal sprocketopening. These vertical and horizontal openings alternate, of course, inthe manner described previously in connection with FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11-13 show a last embodiment of the present invention for use witha sprocket 12 having a sprocket tooth 12B that is slotted at 12C. Thisembodiment employs a single link 14. Thus, in FIG. 13 to the left thereis shown a single link 14 disposed vertically while to the right in FIG.13 there is shown a single line 14 disposed horizontally. Each of thesesingle links as shown in FIG. 12 is adapted to fit within the slot 12C.This last embodiment also employs a single pivot link in the form ofpivot member 45 having a vertical slot 46 for receiving a left hand link14 shown in FIG. 13, and a horizontal slot 47 for receiving the righthand link 14 shown in FIG. 13. Each of these slots define wings throughwhich the respective pivot pins 48 and 49 pass. Each of these pins aresecured at their opposite end by means of the lock ring 50.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-13 is also adapted for right angledrive wherein both of the sprockets that would be employed are slottedtooth sprockets. Thus, the successive links 14 are disposed onevertically and the next horizontally in a repetitive pattern.

FIG. 15 shows still a further embodiment of the present invention whichemploys rollers to form the arcuate surface of engagement with thesprocket. In this embodiment the pivot link 62 comprises a single piecemember having a common wall for interconnecting with a pair ofvertically disposed ears 64 and a pair of horizontally disposed ears 66.Each of these pairs of ears have apertures therethrough as shown in FIG.15. Between the pivot links 62 there are provided a pair of planar links14 substantially the same as links previously described. A roller 60 isdisposed between the pairs of ears. For example, in FIG. 15 there isshown a roller 60 disposed between the horizontally arranged ears 66.There is also provided a pin 57 that extends through the roller 60 tolock the roller 60 in place. Associated with the pin 57 is a snap ring56 for locking the pin in place. The combination of the links 14 withthe rollers 60 thus provide the opening with arcuate surfaces defined byrollers for accommodating the sprocket.

FIG. 14 shows another modification that can be used with the invention.This may be used in place of the bushing 30 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 7.Thus, there is provided a pin 28A having a reduced diameter section 29Afor accommodating thereabout the spring 30A. Thus, the spring 30Aessentially functions in place of the bushing 30 and is maintainedessentially in a comprssed position by resting within the recess 29A inthe pin 28A.

Having described some embodiments of the present invention it should nowbe apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodimentsare contemplated as falling within the scope of this invention. Forexample, one of the embodiments such as the one shown in FIGS. 1-7 maybe used in combination with the last embodiment in the event of a drivefrom a slotted tooth sprocket to a non-slotted tooth sprocket.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chain adapted for right angle sprocket driveand comprising;at least two successive sets of planar links with eachset having at least one link, a separate pivot link having oppositefirst and second ends, means for pivotally securing the planar links tothe pivot link comprising a first pivot pin member associated with thefirst end of the pivot link for disposing one planar link of a first setin a first direction and a second pivot pin member associated with thesecond end of the pivot link for disposing a second planar link of asecond set in a second direction substantially alternated at a 90° angleto the first direction, .[.and.]. a second pivot link including a thirdpivot pin member supporting an opposite end of said second planar linkof said second set each said pivot link having at each of said oppositefirst and second ends means defining an arcuate sprocket tooth engagingsurface extending substantially circumferentially about the axis of saidpivot pin member to enclose said pivot pin member.Iadd., and a thirdpivot link including a fourth pivot pin member supporting an oppositeend of said one planar link, the pivot pin members at opposite said endsof planar link set having a spacing therebetween, the pivot pin membersat opposite ends of said second planar link set having a spacingtherebetween, the spacing between pivot pin members at opposite ends ofsaid one planar link set being substantially the same as the spacingbetween pivot pin members at opposite ends of said second planar linkset, and orthogonally driven sprockets of the same construction areengageable between respective orthogonally disposed planar linksets.Iaddend..
 2. A chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein said secondand third pivot .Iadd.pin .Iaddend.members are disposed in parallel andarranged, when the chain is in engagement with a sprocket, on oppositesides of a sprocket tooth of the sprocket.
 3. A chain as set forth inclaim 2 wherein the second and third pivot pin members are disposedsymmetrically about the sprocket tooth.
 4. A chain as set forth in claim1 wherein each set of planar links comprises two parallel arrangedlinks.
 5. A chain as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pivot linkincludes a pair of oppositely disposed loop links each having meansdefining an arcuate sprocket engaging surface with the engaging surfaceof one link directed transversely to the engaging surface of the otherlink.
 6. A chain as set forth in claim 5 wherein each loop link isU-shaped.
 7. A chain as set forth in claim 6 wherein each pivot.Iadd.pin .Iaddend.member comprises a cylindrical bushing and associatedpin which passes through to connect the planar links to the pivot link.8. A chain as set forth in claim 7 wherein said bushing is dimpled tocooperate with a groove in the pin.
 9. A chain as set forth in claim 4wherein said pivot link comprises a pivot block having at one end anarcuate sprocket engaging surface permitting sprocket engagement in onlyone direction, and at the other end an arcuate sprocket engaging surfacepermitting sprocket engagement in only the opposite transverse directionto said one direction.
 10. A chain as set forth in claim 9 wherein eachpivot .Iadd.pin .Iaddend.member comprises a pivot pin and associatedlock ring.
 11. A chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the single linkset is adapted for use with a slotted sprocket tooth.
 12. A chain as setforth in claim 1 wherein said pivot link comprises a pivot block havingat one end an arcuate sprocket engaging surface cooperating with asimilarly disposed surface of an adjacent pivot block to providesprocket engagement in only one direction.
 13. A chain as set forth inclaim 12 including an arcuate sprocket engaging surface at the other endof the pivot block and extending at a right angle to the one endsprocket engaging surface.
 14. A chain as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid pivot link and planar links define an arcuate sprocket engagingsurface wherein the arcuate surface is defined by a roller means.
 15. Achain as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pivot .Iadd.pin.Iaddend.member comprises a spring and associated recessed pin.
 16. Achain as set forth in claim 1 wherein the axes of the first and secondpivot pin members are orthogonal. .Iadd.
 17. A chain adapted for rightangle sprocket drive and comprising;at least two successive sets ofplanar links with each set having at least one link, a separate pivotlink having opposite first and second ends, means for pivotally securingthe planar links to the pivot link comprising a first pivot pin memberassociated with the first end of the pivot link for disposing one planarlink of a first set in a first direction and a second pivot pin memberassociated with the second end of the pivot link for disposing a secondplanar link of a second set in a second direction substantiallyalternated at a 90° angle to the first direction, a second pivot linkincluding a third pivot pin member supporting an opposite end of saidsecond planar link of said second set, each said pivot link having ateach of said opposite first and second ends means defining an arcuatesprocket tooth engaging surface extending substantiallycircumferentially about said pivot pin member to enclose said pivot pinmember, and a third pivot link including a fourth pivot pin membersupporting an opposite end of said first planar link, each said pivotlink including a common wall disposed substantially transverse to bothsaid planar link sets and first and second pairs of ears integral withand supported from said common wall, said first pair of ears extendingin the same direction as said first planar link set and said second pairof ears extending in the same direction as said second planar link set..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 18. A chain as set forth in claim 17 wherein said meansdefining an arcuate sprocket tooth engaging surface includes a rollermeans and each ear has a hole therethrough for receiving a pivot pinmember. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 19. A chain as set forth in claim 17 furtherincluding a third pivot link including a fourth pivot pin membersupporting an opposite end of said first planar link, the spacingbetween pivot pin members at opposite ends of said first planar link setbeing substantially the same as the spacing between pivot pin members atopposite ends of said second planar link set, and orthogonally drivensprockets of the same construction are engageable between respectiveorthogonally disposed planar link sets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A chain fordrivingly engaging with sprockets having orthogonally disposedrotational axes, comprising: first and second link means includingrespective planar link plates, of the same constructional form, andfirst, second and third pivot links, the first pivot link beingpivotally connected to one end of the first link means, the second pivotlink being pivotally connected to the other end of the first link meansand to one end of the second link means, and the third pivot link beingpivotally connected to the other end of the second link means, the firstand second link means being pivotally connected to the second pivot linkby respective pivot pin means in such a manner that the planes of thelink plates of the first and second link means are orthogonally disposedand the plates are mounted for rotation in their respective planes, thefirst and second pivot links including means defining first and secondguide surfaces extending transversely to the plane of the plate of thefirst link means and arranged to cooperate therewith to define areceptacle for a tooth of a first of said orthogonally disposedsprockets wherein said guide surfaces are arranged to engagesimultaneously opposite flanks of the tooth, the second and third pivotlinks including means defining third and fourth guide surfaces extendingtransversely to the plane of the second link means and arranged tocooperate therewith to define a receptacle for a tooth of a second ofsaid orthogonally disposed sprockets wherein the third and fourth guidesurfaces are arranged to engage simultaneously opposite flanks of atooth of the second sprocket, all of the guide surfaces being of thesame constructional form, such that the receptacles for the teeth of theorthogonally disposed sprockets are of the same constructional form..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A chain according to claim 20 wherein each said linkmeans comprises a pair of parallel link plates. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. Achain according to claim 21 wherein each said pivot link includes a pairof oppositely disposed loop links each providing one of said guidesurfaces. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A chain according to claim 22 wherein eachloop is U-shaped. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A chain according to claim 23including a cylindrical bushing in each said loop link and a pivot pinpassing through the bushing and pivotally connected to the link plates..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A chain according to claim 24 wherein the bushing isdimpled and the pin includes a groove which receives the dimple of thebushing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A chain according to claim 23 wherein saidlink means are pivotally mounted on pivot pins received in the pivotlinks and retained therein by means including a coiled spring around thepin. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A chain according to claim 21 wherein thesecond pivot link comprises a pivot block having at one end an arcuatesaid guide surface extending transversely of the link plates of thefirst link means, the block having at the other end thereof an arcuatesaid guide surface extending transversely of the plates of the secondlink means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A chain according to claim 26 whereinthe link plates are pivotally mounted on the block by pivot pins andretained on the pins by locking rings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A chainaccording to claim 21 wherein said guide surfaces are defined by rollermeans received in the pivot links. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A chain accordingto claim 20 wherein the first and second link means each comprise arespective single said link plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A chain accordingto claim 20 adapted for use with slotted teeth, wherein the guidesurfaces for each said receptacle are arcuate and are disposed onopposite sides of the planar link plate for each said receptacle..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A chain according to claim 20 wherein said meansdefining guide surfaces includes means defining an arcuate surface..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A chain according to claim 32 wherein said meansdefining an arcuate surface includes roller means. .Iaddend.